| The Wider Church Newsletter - Number 6 - April 2007 |
IDENTITY, VISION AND COMMUNICATION BECOME FOCUS FOR 'UNITING' CONGREGATIONSThe March 14-15 meeting of the Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand Standing (UCANZ) Standing Committee was very successful. It was attended by the chairpersons of the seventeen regional committees of UCANZ. As well as providing an opportunity to share in the regular items on the agenda, it also provided opportunity for strengthening relationships and focussing together on the future of this unique group of churches. The April issue of the Methodist paper, Touchstone, has an excellent centre spread which conveys the enthusiasm and business of the meeting. I urge you to read it carefully. It should be available in all uniting congregations; others can request it from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it A new logo, the strengthening of the web site and the introduction of uNETy (an email newsletter) are recent steps in providing more effective communication. Further establishing identity and vision will be part of the busy UCANZ Forum agenda, November 8-11, at the New Zealand International Campus in Heretaunga, Upper Hutt. (Registration forms in July.) Plan to be there! All are welcome - not only those from cooperating ventures. 'CHRISTIAN CHURCHES' IN LOGOThe new Uniting Churches logo has the names of the partners included. In the initial drawings of this logo we retained 'Churches of Christ' but they have been redrawn to read 'Christian Churches'. Although it is over to each congregation to decide what name to use, the beginning of widespread use of the new Uniting Churches logo is the time to make the change there. For individual cooperating churches the ideal time to make the change is when they are re-doing signs, stationery and other communications. Change may be challenging or exciting, Either way it is part of moving forward. VIRGINIA TECH, BlacksburgOur Independent Christian Churches have a congregation and campus ministry at Virginia Tech. Steve & Stacey Wilkin are ministering as they are able. They see counselling as the greatest need. Many students have gone home for the week following the tragedy. Disciples have a congregation in Blacksburg and nearby Radford (pastor Gina Rhea). Regional minister, Lee Parker, and Week of Compassion (Disciples Aid) are assisting. Disciples minister Doug Smith, EO of the Virginia Interfaith Center, has coordinated a remembrance service at Richmond, the state capital. Geunhee Yu, Disciples national Asian Executive Pastor has issued an appeal to people not to make this a racist issue - a plea that should not be necessary, but unfortunately will be for many. FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT28 April - 13 May CELEBRATE ASIA - MAY 20Each year the Christian Conference of Asia challenges us to celebrate our links with Asia on the Sunday before Pentecost Sunday. For Asian Christian Church/Churches of Christ links to lift up in this ecumenical celebration go to www.worldconvention.org and click on 'national profiles'. The April CWS Update has several items on Sri Lanka too. You could use these in conjunction with their 'water' documentary (based in Sri Lanka) if you haven't used that yet. www.cws.org.nz WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY - 22-27 May
CONGRATULATIONSRay Blampied, a retired minister and elder statesman of our churches, celebrates his 95th birthday on May 13. Our congratulations and best wishes to Ray. (10 Becmead Drive, Bishopdale, Christchurch). Ross Heyward celebrated his 80th on April 13. Lourdino Yuzon has had his work permit extended to March 2009 and is therefore able to continue ministry at Matamata Union Parish. PROPERTY SCHEDULESRecently I have been helping a Methodist-Presbyterian Cooperating Parish establish its property schedule. The ratio of assets that congregations contribute to a uniting congregation when they are set up, establishes their 'shareholding' in the parish from that point on. It alters only when/if a partner contributes totally 'new capital'. Most churches did not obtain valuations for their properties when they united because they thought all property would soon relate to the nationally united church. Not knowing the 'shareholding' can lead to difficulties later. If your congregation has not fixed these ratios and wants guidance on how to do it, please contact me. UNDERSTANDING THE ASSOCIATED CHURCHES OF CHRIST/CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN NEW ZEALANDThe response reinforced the feeling that there was a need for this publication. I have appreciated the many positive comments. About 100 remain. $5 each; $4 each for orders of ten or more. Postage included in price. Send your cheque to address below. CELEBRATING AND SHARING!Sunday May 20: Asia Sunday VISITING THE USA?You may wish to include SNIPPETS- 'Standard Publishing' in the USA will be know to many. Now they are out-sourcing their printing, they have left their former seven acres of buildings and relocated within Cincinnati. www.christianstandard.com BOOKS NEEDEDI have had two requests this year for copies of Murray Savage's books on Churches of Christ missionary work in Zimbabwe - Achievement and Forward into Freedom. If you have copies you no longer need, please mail them to me (address below) and we will provide these folks with copies. Any surplus copies will be sent to our archives at Annesbrook to help with future requests. MY DIARYPlease contact me with comments or questions for these meetings. Lyndsay Jacobs
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